The Methodist Church has welcomed the findings of the Gambling Commission's prevalence study, released on Wednesday, which shows that the number of problem gamblers today is the same as the previous study in 1999 while the number of people gambling has dropped slightly.

The Methodist Church also responded positively to the study's finding that attitudes to gambling are more negative than positive.

The release of the study comes just weeks after the controversial Gambling Act 2005 came into effect on September 1, relaxing previous gambling laws on opportunities to gamble and gambling advertising, while promising at the same time to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed by gambling.

Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, said: "While we are relieved that the number of problem gamblers has not risen, there are still far too many.

"The Government have always said that the Act provides greater safeguards for people who are vulnerable to problem gambling; it is now for them and the Gambling Commission to implement the Act so as to ensure that these predictions come true."

The Methodist Church is hoping for a drop in the number of problem gamblers by the next study in three years, while Ms Cox said the Church also remained "concerned" about the increase in online gambling and betting.

"The study clearly shows that these are high risk for problem gambling," she said.

The Methodist Church is pressing the Government to increase the level of funds available to treat and support problem gamblers, as well as run a "major programme" to raise awareness of the risks of gambling.

"Against the Odds" is a new gambling resource produced by the Methodist Church in partnership with The Salvation Army to help the church understand the Gambling Act. The resource details helpful gambling facts and outlines a Christian response to the issue, as well as a list of help sources and suggestions for what people can do if they are concerned about gambling.

"Against the odds....? is a reminder that we are not powerless in the face of these issues," said Lieutenant-Colonel Royston Bartlett, Secretary for Communications for The Salvation Army UK and the Republic of Ireland, at the time of the resource's last August.

"It is not just a matter for policy makers - we can all do our part to support those with gambling problems and to campaign for greater protection for the vulnerable," he added.
"The document also reminds us that we need to remain alert to the potential dangers and not to become complacent now that the Act is in place."



Against the Odds...? is available HERE